Building the Fire

The traditional source of heat is coals from burning oak or hickory wood, however some pitmasters use charcoal briquettes. If charcoal is used it will take approximately 60 pounds to cook a 100-pound pig. Start with 20 pounds of briquettes and allow them to burn outside the pit until gray before spreading in the pit. The heat should be distributed so that the hams and shoulders get more heat and the center of the pig gets less. This will allow the pig to cook uniformly. Additional briquette